The Waiting is done...

Christmas Eve, my favorite night of the year. The shopping is done, whether it is or not, and its time to gather. The wait is almost over, and we know what is coming, or at least some of it! Sneaky peekers??? Not me.
Its been a crazy year. Some huge celebrations, some terrible losses, and lots in between.. But as the pastor said tonight, we made it. If that was the goal, anyway. We define success by the calendar year, but sometimes its just best to look at the big picture, relish what we have, work on what needs it, and know that there's more to all this than we can touch, but not more than we can feel. Peace. Truth. Hope. Love.

The Advent Wait is over, and its time for a birthday party. All are invited...

A Son is born, a Child is given. Mighty, Counselor. Emmanuel.

Merry Christmas!!!

JFK assassinated today, 50 years ago. BUT...

But did you know that another significant figure also died that same day, November 22 1963? Clive Staples Lewis, more commonly referred to as C.S. Lewis. His writings, both fiction and non-fiction, and all faith based, have been circulating for many years, although the re-introduction of the Narnia series, and the accompanying film, probably got him more attention than in the past. Obviously, his death, from renal failure, was passed over for more significant events that day, but his legacy lives on and has perhaps reached an audience that might not have been expected.

I would be remiss if not to mention JFK on this memorial day. I remember it too well, even though only 6 years old at the time, in first grade. It was a dark day, and the swirl of events and theories abounds. Having visited there with my daughter last summer, it is still eerie.

The discussion around the character, flaws, tendencies, and strengths of John F Kennedy is endless, as are the theories about his untimely passing. If you have ever visited the gravesite and seen the eternal flame burning, you know his life meant something, His presidency was only 34 months, but some of his quotes are also eternal.

• "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."
• And the lesser known "My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man."

Kennedy's constant message of peace, cooperation, fulfillment, and purpose, whether it be to the moon, or just to the next door neighbor, continues to remind us that we are here for a reason. And the best use of our space on earth would be to find that purpose, and use it for the Greater Good.

Happy Halloween, Really!

Here is my take on today's "holiday." Some think this is a dark and/or evil celebration. While I don't care to refute that, I do care to focus on the obvious current practical activity. Most people don't really know its origins, which could just as easily have been Christian in nature. Let's just embrace it for what it is now, a social time for kids and adults to have some fun, go meet each other, exchange pleasantries, maybe find some new friends or meet some neighbors, and eat some good food. And some candy. It doesn't have to be any more complicated than that. Your dentist will love you, and you don't have to eat it all in one sitting.

Yes, be careful, keep an eye on the kids in the street, but have a good time. Lord knows we need an excuse for a diversion these days.

Come see me in my driveway if you are nearby. Looks like the rain has cleared out, so we will be open for the party! Bring it on!

September 12, 2013

Good morning. If yesterday was Never Forget, then today has to be Always Remember.

 

On Sept 11, we were attacked. On Sept 12, we responded. With typical American fortitude and determination. Things are looking pretty messed up right now, but we are not helpless. We are in fact ordained for truth justice and spirit. God help us that we can respond in the appropriate way. Make it a good day, folks...

In Memoriam - Bailey Cooper

So little time, so much impact. Thank you Bailey. You are not gone, just ahead of us.

Said the Shepherd Boy to the Mighty King

Do you hear what I hear? Do you see what I see?

He had no gift to bring, so he played his drum for Him, pah-rum-pah-pum-pum.

Today marks the end of Advent, the season of Waiting. For today, in a manger, long ago, the Christ Child was born to us. King. God. Man. Tempted in many ways, to be an example to us, but perfect anyway. How do we know about this Birth? Because it was announced to the people all through time. Broadcast, as my friend Aaron Cotton told us a week ago. No accident, the news was dropped in across time, as noted in Genesis 49:10 He is to come from Judah. 2 Samuel 7:12 He is to come from the line of David. Isaiah 7:14 He would be born of a virgin. Isaiah 9:6-7 Many names, one God forever. Hosea 11:1 He would flee from Egypt. Micah 5:2 He is to be born in Bethlehem.

Luke tells us that the shepherds left their flocks and went to see the Baby Jesus. They were told about it by the angels who told them of Great News, and then the shepherds spread the word of their findings all around. Matthew tells us of the Magi, talking to Herod, who had bad intentions. The Magi followed the Star from the east to the west, until it stopped over Bethlehem. Yes, it stopped. Retrograde motion, look it up. And then John summarizes for us that the Word was with God, was God, and became flesh.He lived among us.

This promise is repeated and confirmed. Anything that is repeated in the Bible is very important, and I think this qualifies! The promises of the Old Testament are fulfilled in the New Testament, and everything changes from there. The Law is the Law, and Jesus came to fulfill it, but He came to breath new life into us. John also says that the Christ came to the world, but the world did not know Him. They did not recognize Him. They did not receive Him. Those of us who have received Him are adopted. Chosen. Set apart. We are different, and we act that way. Most of the time. And God is good with that. He has chosen jars of clay to spread the word. Shepherds, the lowliest of men, and kings, the highest. And everything in between.

And so, as the angels worshiped,  "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to all men, on whom his favor rests," and announced the birth of Christ, we are the adopted ones, the beneficiaries of that Good News, and it is to be spread by us, just as the angels and shepherds did. By voice and by action.

Merry Christmas to all!!!

It's not the way we think it is

I talked with some people yesterday, who were upset and confused about how things have gone this week. I told them about an email I got on Wednesday. It basically said that the Isrealites are God's chosen people. He punished them because they were disobedient, and had them captured and moved to Babylon. They had a rough time there, But He took care of them while they were there, and had a plan for them, and promised them that there was a hope for them. He told them to settle down, get married, find a place to live, have kids, work the land, and live life there while they endured this. He told them he would make them prosper, protect them, and give them hope and a future. Despite the fact that they were in captivity.

We are in a kind of exile. In our own land. But those same promises are available to us as believers, because we are His adopted. Same status as the Isrealites. We call them Israelis today, but its the same people. If nothing else, we should keep our heads up, not allow anything to get us down, and keep plowing ahead. Cuz we are Americans, and that's what we do. And we have a hope and a future. No doubt.